The playing field at Chalford Bottom has been closed for a long time now due to suspected ground contamination.
As it’s been closed for what must be over a year now it’s looking somewhat dystopian as the weeds are taking over and it’s deserted.
Signs say that moles are pushing up sharp pieces of glass so something will need to be done about that. Hopefully not as drastic as the lyrics of Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell where “They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot” kind of thing.
News update: Extract from a public meeting
It was noted that part of the site was used as a dump between approximately 1925 and the 1940s. Swings were installed in 1939, reflecting its long-standing recreational use.
In 1946, the ground was levelled using asbestos-cement materials, reportedly surplus from Fibrecrete, a company which operated from the 1930s to the 1970s and manufactured building products containing asbestos.
The historical presence of asbestos-containing materials on the site was highlighted as significant in understanding the current context and any related considerations.
Deserted kids play areas don’t sit right, especially in this day and age of mindless scrolling where most of us need to get out, get some fresh air and connect with nature.
Back in the 70s there was some weird grey / green clay like material in parts of the woods at the far end. This has now been identified as Fullers Earth clay which is common in these parts.
There was a local council meeting about the playing field at the end of April 2026.
The link below takes you to the ongoing meetings and their results etc taking place with the Chalford parish council.
